Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Cooking: Taco & Fajita Seasoning

Cooking at home is usually healthier and cheaper. But do you know what's in your food even when you're the one making it? Junk lurks everywhere, even in the ingredients we use for our homemade healthy meals.

Here's 2 examples of popular spices mixture packets for Mexican style food:

Old El Paso Taco Seasoning

  • Maltodextrin
  • Salt
  • Chili Pepper
  • Onion Powder
  • Spice
  • Monosodium Glutamate [MSG]
  • Modified Corn Starch
  • Yellow Corn Flour
  • Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
  • Silicon Dioxide Added (Anti-Caking Agent)
  • Natural Flavor
  • Ethoxyquin (Preservative)


Taco Bell Fajita Seasoning



  • Corn Syrup (Dried)
  • Garlic (Dried)
  • Cornstarch
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Chili Peppers
  • Onions (Dried)
  • Monosodium Glutamate [MSG]
  • Spice
  • Citric Acid
  • Soybean Oil
  • Contains less than 2% of Calcium Silicate As An Anticaking Agent



I've been making my own taco and fajita seasoning for several years now. It's cheaper, healthier, and you can customize the heat and flavor to your own personal preference. 

Here are the recipes I use:


Taco Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Add mixture to 1 pound browned ground meat or cooked cubed chicken. Add enough water for the spice mixture to coat the meat. Cook for 2-3 minutes.



Fajita Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Use the spice mixture, along with olive oil and tequila, to marinate the raw fajita meat and vegetables for several hours before cooking.



Never buy taco and fajita seasoning packets again!